Page:Infernal secret, or, The invulnerable Spaniard.pdf/11

 Taking shelter from a burning sun near the ruins of St. Marcos's Abbey, and overcome by heat, I slept; on my awaking up, the sun set, leaving the queen of night, to guide bewildered travellers. I was about to rise, when a deep sigh arrested me, and on looking up, I beheld my brother, pale and muttering. We long had noted that he shunned all human intercourse, and was a prey to wretched-ness and melancholy. I withheld my very breath, fearful of discovery, and so eager to learn his guarded secret, I became possessor of his cause of sorrow at a price no human tongue can tell the misery of. In fine, he loved a maid far beyond his lot in life, and was muttering incantations as the bell struck twelve with heavy sound. The moon rode on in blood; the wholesome foliage of the plants and shrubs was suddenly burnt up; a noisesome vapour filled the place; the enemy of man, in form enormous, in power infernal, obeyed my brother's call. I would have cried out, but my jaws were bound with ribs of iron. I seized my crucifix, which, pressing to my heart, preserved my sight and sense. Here let me hurry on—My wretched brother was promised super-human power, and strength and riches, and a life to be preserved by wedding with an unstained Catholic each century. Mad for love, he was about to agree, and accordingly put forth his arm, and a voice, more potent than the whirlwind's wildest roar, demanded blood to sign the compact; and as evidence impossible to be resisted, the hand and arm were given mighty strength, but stript of flesh and blood for ever. He drew his poniard, when I, all fainting and exhausted as I was, put forth my quivering hand, in which I held the emblem of our holy faith, and cried, " my brother, oh, my brother."—The archfiend fled, howling, and my brother fell fainting into my arms, but his reason had fled for ever." “Do you then deem this mysterious man